Area basketball roundup: Limestone women reach 20-win mark

Staff reports

Published: Saturday, February 16, 2013 at 3:15 a.m.

Last Modified: Sunday, February 17, 2013 at 12:40 a.m.

Maria Young poured in a game-high 24 points on a season-high five 3-pointers while Stephanie Hayes dropped in 22 points, leading the 14th-ranked Limestone women to their 14th straight win, 72-53 against Pfeiffer on Saturday in Misenheimer, N.C.

The Saints (20-2, 17-1 Conference Carolinas) collected their 20th win, marking the first time in program history the team has posted consecutive 20-win seasons.

Limestone built a two-game lead over Barton and a three-game lead over Pfeiffer (19-4, 14-4) in the league standings with four games to play.

Ahead by three as they emerged from the halftime break, the Saints used the 3-point line to open the second half with a 13-3 run to build a 47-34 lead with 13:37 remaining.

Upstate senior Tee'Ara Copney scored a game-high 20 points and added six assists and five steals, while Brittany Starling flirted with a double-double with 14 points and nine boards. Senior Tyra Smith dished out a game-high eight assists, and had five rebounds and four steals.

The Spartans finish up their home schedule against Mercer at 7 p.m. Monday.

Blue went 8-for-14 from the field and 4-for-5 from beyond the arc, while adding seven rebounds. Saints forward Joe Raga finished with eight points, eight rebounds and a pair of blocks, while junior guard Rashod Chavis added four boards, three points and a game-high five assists in just 14 minutes of action.

NOTE

NORTH GREENVILLE: The Crusaders' basketball doubleheader scheduled for Saturday at Belmont Abbey was postponed until Monday night because of the snowy weather.

<p>Maria Young poured in a game-high 24 points on a season-high five 3-pointers while Stephanie Hayes dropped in 22 points, leading the 14th-ranked Limestone women to their 14th straight win, 72-53 against Pfeiffer on Saturday in Misenheimer, N.C.</p><p>The Saints (20-2, 17-1 Conference Carolinas) collected their 20th win, marking the first time in program history the team has posted consecutive 20-win seasons.</p><p>Limestone built a two-game lead over Barton and a three-game lead over Pfeiffer (19-4, 14-4) in the league standings with four games to play. </p><p>Ahead by three as they emerged from the halftime break, the Saints used the 3-point line to open the second half with a 13-3 run to build a 47-34 lead with 13:37 remaining. </p><p>The Saints shot 44 percent while holding Pfeiffer to 27-percent shooting.</p><p>Limestone's Danielle Dixon added six points and nine rebounds, while Tia Williams registered six points, five steals and five assists. Sophomore guard Morgan Brown dished out a game-high nine assists.</p><p>Williams became the first player in Limestone women's basketball history to make 110 career starts, all of them consecutively.</p><p><b>USC Upstate 57, Kennesaw State 48: </b>USC Upstate (10-15, 6-8 A-Sun) snapped a two-game skid as the Spartans held their annual PinkZone event and celebrated senior night at the Hodge Center. </p><p>Upstate senior Tee'Ara Copney scored a game-high 20 points and added six assists and five steals, while Brittany Starling flirted with a double-double with 14 points and nine boards. Senior Tyra Smith dished out a game-high eight assists, and had five rebounds and four steals. </p><p>The Spartans finish up their home schedule against Mercer at 7 p.m. Monday.</p><p><b>Appalachian State 77, Wofford 50: </b>In Boone, N.C., Appalachian State got off to a 10-1 start and rolled past the Terriers. Anna Freeman led the Mountaineers (16-6, 10-4 SoCon) with 19 points. Rachel Brittenham and Morgan Wrightson paced Wofford (7-15, 2-12) with 14 points each. </p><p><b>MEN</p><p>Limestone 70, Pfeiffer 56:</b> In Misenheimer, N.C., Charles Blue notched a game-high 23 points, and center Phillip Moultrie delivered a double-double with 11 points and 10 rebounds to lead Limestone (15-7, 11-5) past Pfeiffer (3-21, 1-16). </p><p>Blue went 8-for-14 from the field and 4-for-5 from beyond the arc, while adding seven rebounds. Saints forward Joe Raga finished with eight points, eight rebounds and a pair of blocks, while junior guard Rashod Chavis added four boards, three points and a game-high five assists in just 14 minutes of action.</p><p><b>NOTE</p><p>NORTH GREENVILLE: </b>The Crusaders' basketball doubleheader scheduled for Saturday at Belmont Abbey was postponed until Monday night because of the snowy weather.</p>